The wedding I photographed on July 14^th was of very-special meaning to me.

Riley (my cousin) and Sara are high school sweethearts and such lovely old-souls.  While around them, it is easy for any given person to understand their belonging to each other in this universe.  They evoke emotions of strong comfort that is very rare with modern love. I have known this couple for a very long time, there are so many amazing stories, and it melts me within that we are all family.

I really don’t know where to begin with describing this wedding.  Sara could easily be a wedding planner—she created so many details, and organized her Malibu blue, scrapbook-esque celebration down to the bottom of her shoes.  This wedding also was one of the most emotional I’ve been to. It held moments such as Sara coming down the aisle to her favorite song in the world (Somewhere Over the Rainbow), Riley’s wedding band being that of our late grandfather, my Aunt Mary’s tears as she watched her son in this right of passage, Sara’s mother Cheryl calming her with sweet maternal embraces to calm her daughter’s nerves before the wedding, all the way to our 84-year-old grandmother dancing the night away (attempting to do the Electric Slide with her walker).

As they both embark on their adventures road-tripping Up North on that thing called a honeymoon, I know they deserve it.  We all love a cute wedding, and this one was beautiful—but this personal experience has brought forth a greater understanding of what marriage is about—the lifetime of riding off into the figurative sunset, relaxing and enjoying each other’s company. Congratulations, you newlyweds, my cousins….this is with love.

 

 

Ceremony Venue: The Gardens (Allenton, WI)

Reception Venue: The Columbian (West Bend, WI)

Photography: Emily Bee Arts

Hair & Makeup: Tiffany Tia MUA

Bridal Gown: David’s Bridal

Bridesmaids’ Gowns: David’s Bridal

Disc Jockey: Guy Brooks

Cupcakes: It’s a Sweet Life, LLC

Caterer: Catering By Bryan

Wedding Planner & Florist: The bride!

 

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This is a blog post unrelated to weddings and any work commissioned by clients. Shocker (*spoken non-sarcastically*).

(What the crap is this? This isn’t a wedding?!?)

From May 15, 2011-May 15, 2012 I actually completed a 365 day project. It was a cliche undertaking, yet somewhat ambitious. This simple idea helped me really expand my eye for what I see in a commonplace situation, and therefore greatly influenced more creative work. Now that this project is over, I find a great need to challenge myself with a new project.

For those of you who don’t know me personally, let’s just say I’ve had my trials of life and suffered and endured a highly painful and devastating heartbreak. Through these personal experiences, I’ve managed to see the world in a different way, and have been exploring the vast landscape and beings of my everyday with a new set of eyes; much like the eyes I grew through the education of my daily project. My recovery has lead to discoveries of inner-strength and ideologies that were buried within myself. It’s fascinating to have found this new inspiration. During my undergraduate career, feminism was something I wasn’t necessarily against; but I felt uninspired by it. I felt like it was an idea that had been conveyed too many times and for too long in this history.

I have much to learn, but I now know for a fact that there is nothing old about being feminine. Within this mindset, I felt driven to create work. A series about what feminism means to myself–and what it holds for ourselves in a contemporary setting. It is a search to find inner strength within true, classic beauty within myself, individuals, and my gender as a whole.

I am so busy I cannot sleep, and I forget what real relaxation is. I’ve barely read anything, and the book I’ve started (How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World by Jordan Christy) is not the social study I was hoping for, it’s much more Cosmo Magazine. Naturally, I have placed my beloved idol Audrey on this intensely high pedestal in my mind; but I found this read to be way too full of sugar-rimmed strawberry martinis, stilettos, and #shitgirlssay. I might be able to take something from it, although everything in there is a literal how-to of common-sense.

I have only photographed three lovely, powerful women so far; and continue to do more as I work through life, paying my bills with overpriced pasta, and building my business with only the best wedding clients ever (I am unbelievably lucky and blessed to be where I’m at). The women I portray in my images may be swimming up for air from the depths of being brokenhearted, some are hiding from the idea of being confident with themselves and their self-image, some simply radiate beauty and intelligence, others may seek inner-peace and tranquility within the rush of modern society, others might just be unknowing of their beauty–they might not be thinking about it, but they can be reminded. Each woman I portray is strong despite the differing backgrounds they will come from. Regardless, I am excited with this beginning–and the potential and great response it’s already created (one of my favorite wedding photographers commented on this work, and others are seeing it as a future business venture). If nothing else, this still un-named project will keep my blood flowing.

Anywho, back to editing a billion photos from weddings.

 

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I spent many late nights chatting with the future Mrs. Richie, a fellow night-owl like myself. We’d carry out the most random discussions, and of course many of these conversations (often til 2-3 AM) were naturally about her wedding.

It’s crazy to think that the day finally came.

Assistant photographer Clarissa and myself indulged ourselves in Doritoes and pedicures prior to our 10-hour adventure with this amazing couple. Despite the drought the upper Midwest is currently suffering, and the lack of air-conditioning in the church….I for one could only smile after a day like this.  As I edit these photographs, the tears will occasionally well up very slightly as I remember how Kelly & Matt’s sunshine & blue polka-dot bedazzled celebration of love came alive.

It’s a rare thing when high school sweethearts get to this point. Without a doubt, from the moment I met them….and vaguely remembering them in the stuffy hallways of Menomonee Falls High School…this was meant to happen.

 

 

Ceremony Venue: Mt. Zion Lutheran Church (ELCA)

Reception Venue: Polish Center of Wisconsin

Photography: Emily Bee Arts

Hair & Makeup: Parlor Salon

Bridal Gown: Maggie Sottero (Savvy Bride)

Bridesmaids’ Gowns: David’s Bridal

Groom/Groomsmen’s Tuxedos: Men’s Warehouse

Disc Jockey: DJ Express

Cake: Aggie’s Cakes

Caterer & Linens: Jack Norman Catering

Florist: Menomonee Falls Bank of Memories & Flowers

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